LINK OF PRINTED COPY OF THE NOVEMBER 2024 CITY-COUNTY-OBSERVER
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Vanderburgh County lawmakers: State funding hits the road for local infrastructure improvements
STATEHOUSE (Nov. 8, 2024) – Vanderburgh County lawmakers said local communities will soon be on the move with more road and bridge projects with the help of recently released state funding.
Funding is available through Indiana’s Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, which can be used for road reconstruction, bridge preservation, intersection improvements and other projects. A total of 223 communities across the state will receive more than $139 million in state matching grants.
“The economic success of our local communities depends in part on having reliable infrastructure,” said State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville). “These investments help us attract residents, businesses and economic opportunities to area, and we can continue to improve our quality of life.”
Area grant recipients include Evansville ($729,809) and Vanderburgh County ($809,506).
“Community Crossings grants help all types of communities improve local roads and increase connectivity,” said State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville). “To keep up with Southwest Indiana’s growth, it’s vital that we continue to invest in our infrastructure so that we can meet our needs now and in the future.”
“Our rural communities often do not have enough funding to tackle all of their infrastructure needs,” said State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka). “Community Crossings grants give them some budget flexibility so that they can make essential upgrades on their roads, bridges and more.”
To qualify for the competitive grant, smaller municipalities provide a 25 percent match in local funds, while larger communities provide a 50 percent match. State law requires 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer. Since 2016, Community Crossings has awarded more than $1.8 billion to improve local roads and bridges.
Gov. Holcomb, INDOT award $139.7 million through Community Crossings matching grants
PETERSBURG, Ind. – Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Transportation gathered today at the Pike County Courthouse in Petersburg with cities, towns, and counties from across southwest Indiana receiving portions of the nearly $140 million awarded through the Community Crossings matching grant program, a component of Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Roads program.
“Community Crossings has been an annual highlight over the years ,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The fact that nearly 14,000 miles of road and over 200 local bridges have been replaced or rehabilitated through this program since 2017 is simply astonishing, in addition to countless economic and quality of life benefits in hundreds of communities across Indiana.”
Communities submitted applications for funding during a highly competitive call for projects in July. Funding for Community Crossings comes from the state’s local road and bridge matching grant fund. The Community Crossings initiative has provided more than $1.8 billion in state matching funds for local road improvement projects since its start in 2016.
“This program has impacted communities in all 92 Indiana counties, most more than once,” said INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. “I want to recognize all of the local agencies who have participated over time for their hard work and dedication to improving their local transportation networks.”
State legislators identified long-term funding for Community Crossings as part of House Enrolled Act 1002, passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Holcomb in 2017.
A list of all 223 communities receiving matching funds in the 2024 fall call for projects is available here. The next call for projects will open in January. Learn more about the Community Crossings matching grant program on the INDOT website.
Four Local Shelters Participate in “Hoosier Adopt A Shelter Pet Month”
Governor Holcomb and ICAP (Indiana Coalition of Animal Welfare Professionals) designate November “Hoosier Adopt A Shelter Pet Month” with
4 local organizations participating!
(Evansville, IN – November 6, 2024): The Indiana Coalition of Animal Welfare Professionals alongside dozens of shelters and rescue organizations across the State of Indiana are coming together to designate November 2024 “Hoosier Adopt a Shelter Pet Month,” to bring awareness to the growing public problem of pet homelessness and the crisis shelters and rescues are facing. Indiana shelters and rescuers collaboratively call on the community to act now to adopt, foster, donate, and/or volunteer during Hoosier Adopt a Shelter Pet Month to help alleviate this crisis and reverse the monumental steps taken back in saving the lives of homeless pets.
The following 4 local organizations will be participating during their normal business hours with reduced adoption fees or incentives:
- Vanderburgh Humane Society (VHS) (www.vhslifesaver.org) and River Kitty Cat Cafe
The VHS is “In Our Adoption Era,” offering $50 adoptions for all dogs, cats, kittens, and rabbits from November 8th-16th with an Eras Tour theme. (The launch of this event also coincides with the VHS thrift store, Happy Tails Resale Shop’s 10th anniversary storewide sale on November 8th & 9th. A separate press release sent out on Monday covers that event.) Dog & rabbit adoptions will take place at the VHS facility, and cat/kitten adoptions will take place exclusively at River Kitty Cat Café in Downtown Evansville. Adopters will receive free goodies & entry to win a prize. Please note that cat adoptions are NOT suspended completely… they will be taking place at River Kitty Cat Café exclusively.
- It Takes a Village It Takes a Village Rescue (www.itvrescue.org)
ITV will be offering “Spin the Wheel” adoption discounts for all pets over 1 year old from November 12th-16th. Their theme is “Thanks-Fur My New Home (Thanksgiving theme)” and all new adoptions will receive a fur-friendly prize. Adoptions will take place at the Evansville location on Stockwell Road only.
- PAAWS (Proving Animals Are Worth Saving (http://www.paaws.org)
PAAWS is a foster-based rescue and will have pets available at the Evansville PetSmart on Saturday, November 9th. They will offer half-off adoption fees and a free day of doggie daycare for all adopters.
- Evansville Animal Care & Control (https://www.evansvillegov.org/city/department/index.php?structureid=221)
Adopters at Evansville Animal Care & Control will be entered to win a prize basket!
Shelters and rescue groups are experiencing an overwhelming number of animals entering the system. The increased intake of animals and the reduction in adoptions is being driven by inflation, rising costs of food and supplies, the lack of affordable pet inclusive housing, and scarcity of veterinary resources. As a result, shelters are overburdened, over their capacity for care, and healthy pets are being euthanized for space. This is dangerously reversing decades of work to save the lives of healthy, adoptable pets.
According to Shelter Animals Count (SAC), the most trusted and current source for animal sheltering data, alarming trends are emerging in which more dogs are entering the shelters than leaving, less are leaving with a live outcome, and shelter length of stay has tripled.
“The crisis shelters are facing does not originate within the shelters,” said Stephanie Filer, Executive Director of Shelter Animals Count. “Shelters need help now more than ever. This is a community problem that requires a community solution.”
Community problems require all stakeholders to collaborate and collectively solve for improved quality of life. Building humane communities where healthy, adoptable pets are not euthanized, but adopted into loving homes is the preference of our society. In this time of crisis, we need the community now more than ever to open their hearts and homes to a shelter pet in need so we can ensure we are on the pathway to preserving those humane communities across the State of Indiana.
Organizations’ adoption hours:
Vanderburgh Humane Society
400 Millner Industrial Drive, Evansville, IN 47710
Tuesday-Saturday 12-6 pm
Closed Sundays & Mondays
River Kitty Cat Café (VHS satellite location)
226 Main Street, Evansville, IN 47708
Monday-Thursday 10 am -6 pm
Friday 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday 9 am – 6 pm
Sunday 11 am – 4 pm
It Takes a Village Evansville location:
1417 Stockwell Road, Evansville, IN 47715
Tuesday – 12 – 5 pm
Wednesday – 12 – 7 pm
Thursday – 12 – 5 pm
Friday – 12 – 9 pm
Saturday – 12 – 9 pm
Closed Sundays & Mondays
PAAWS (foster-based)
Will have adoptable pets at the Evansville PetSmart on Burkhardt Road
Saturday, November 9th from 11 am – 3 pm
Evansville Animal Care & Control
815 Uhlhorn Street, Evansville, IN 47715
Monday-Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
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Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda
AGENDA
Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners
November 12, 2024 – 9:30 a.m.
Room 301, Civic Center Complex
1. Call to Order
2. Attendance
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Action Items
A. Engineer
1. Award VC24-10-01 “North Green River Road Drainage Improvements” to JBI
Construction, Inc.
2. Notice to Bidders: VC24-12-01 “Nisbet Road Small Structure Replacement”
3. Notice to Bidders: VC24-12-02 “Radio Avenue Small Structure Replacement
Project”
4. Notice to Bidders: VC24-12-03 “North Woods, North Elm, and West Franklin
Street Drainage Improvmenets”
5. Oak Hill Road Project #2002538: Revised Right of Way Offer
i. Parcel 26 (ID 82-06-02-002-150.040-019, 82-06-03-002-153.033-019,
82-06-10-002-171.054-019) – Southern Indiana Gas and Electric
Company
B. Health Department
1. Indiana Department of Health Grant Agreement Contract #88413 – Women,
Infants, and Children (WIC)
2. Final Reading of Ordinance No. CO.09-24-012: An Ordinance Repealing and
Replacing Chapter 8.20, Private Sewer Disposal Systems of the Vanderburgh
County Code
C. Computer Services
1. Astound Business Solutions Service Order for Health Department
D. City Purchasing
1. First Amendment to Waste Removal Service Agreement with BFI Waste Services
of Indiana, LP d/b/a Republic Services of Evansville
E. Veterans Memorial Coliseum
1. Request for Electric Distribution Line Easement – Southern Indiana Gas and
Electric Company d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Indiana South
F. Request to Award the Demolition of County-Owned Property
1. 203 E Oregon Street
2. 1619 W Missouri Street
G. MBE/WBE Compliance Consultant Agreement: Talmadge O. Vick, II d/b/a Vick Strategic
Consulting
H. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum Preservation Foundation, Inc.
1. Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement with the Old Courthouse Foundation
2. Appointment of Laura Tomes as “Designated Representative”
5. Department Head ReportsDrainage Board Immediately Following
6. New Business
A. Petitioner’s Appeal to Request Replacement of Guardrail with Gate for Access –
Bayshore Drive in Blue Heron Subdivision
7. Old Business
8. Consent Items
A. Approval of October 29, 2024, Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of November 1, 2024, Board of Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes
C. Approval of November 4, 2024, Board of Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes
D. Employment Changes
E. Auditor
1. Claims Voucher Reports
i. October 28, 2024 – November 1, 2024
ii. November 4, 2024 – November 8, 2024
F. Assessor
1. Request to Reinstate Vacation Benefits – Staci Stanley
G. Commissioners
1. Travel Request – Indiana County Commissioners Annual Conference
H. Engineer
1. Report and Claims
9. Public Comment
10. Adjournment
Retail Food Establishment Inspection Report
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
HOT JOBS
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GILMOUR LEADS ‘BOLTS TO THIRD-STRAIGHT WIN, 4-3 OVER MACON
GILMOUR LEADS ‘BOLTS TO THIRD-STRAIGHT WIN, 4-3 OVER MACON
Evansville, In.: After falling behind 3-2 in the third period, the Thunderbolts mounted another comeback to defeat the Macon Mayhem, 4-3 in overtime on Saturday at Ford Center. The Thunderbolts’ next home game will be on Saturday, November 16th against the Peoria Rivermen at 7:05pm CT.
Late in the first period, Scott Kirton opened the scoring off a face-off win from Matthew Barnaby at 19:00 to give Evansville the 1-0 lead. The Mayhem tied the game at 1-1 5:19 into the second period on a goal from Conor Witherspoon, before Tyson Gilmour responded just over a minute later with his first goal of the night, assisted by Derek Contessa and Brendan Harrogate at 6:23 to give the Thunderbolts a 2-1 lead. Penalties cost the Thunderbolts twice to start the third period, as Tao Ishizuka scored on a power play at 2:23 to tie the game, before a power play goal from Matteo Ybarra at 4:55 gave Macon their first lead of the night at 3-2. The Thunderbolts levied an appropriate response on their own power play, as Logan vande Meerakker sniped home the tying goal from Anthony Hora and Barnaby at 9:34 to tie the game back up at 3-3. In overtime, Gilmour scored the game-winning goal at 3:56, off a face-off win from Matthew Hobbs. With the win, Evansville has now won three games in a row and four of their last six to get back to a .500 record of 4-4-1.
Gilmour finished with two goals including the game-winner, vande Meerakker and Kirton finished with one goal each, and Barnaby tallied a pair of assists. In goal, Cole Ceci finished with 33 saves on 36 shots for his fourth win of the season. The Thunderbolts and Mayhem meet once again on Friday, January 31st at Ford Center.
Individual game tickets, group packages, and season tickets are on sale for the 2024-25 season. Call 812-422-BOLT or visit our all-new website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.
About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL. The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com
No. 18 Trailblazers continue to roll with big win at McDonald’s Classic
No. 18 Trailblazers continue to roll with big win at McDonald’s Classic
VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 18 Vincennes University Trailblazers closed out an impressive weekend Saturday night on the final day of the 2024 McDonald’s Classic.
The Trailblazers played host to Kennedy-King College from Chicago and closed out the weekend classic with a strong 88-46 victory over the Statesmen.
Vincennes got going early by building a quick 16-8 advantage before taking firm control of the game by outscoring the Statesmen 21-6 to increase their lead to 37-14 late in the first half.
The Trailblazers continued to apply pressure at the defensive end and held the Statesmen to just 20 points in the opening period, taking a 41-20 lead into the halftime locker room break.
VU would put the game in cruise control midway through the second half after using a big 21-3 scoring run to take a 73-34 lead.
The two teams would trade baskets through the final stretch of the game as Kennedy-King looked to cut into the deficit but ran out of time as Vincennes closed out the 88-46 victory over the Statesmen.
“We did a lot of good things tonight,” VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin said. “There are going to be some spots where things don’t go as great this time of year but I thought our team played well. Some guys didn’t at times and sometimes did. It was a little up and down at times but I thought it was a good effort on our part.”
“We didn’t hit as many threes tonight, that’s fine,” Franklin added. “That’s the way it works sometimes. There were a few times where we got a little bit loose with it but we finished with 13 turnovers so we’re continuing the trek down, we had 16 last night and 13 tonight. For this time of year and the pace that we play, if you are somewhere in the lower teens, it’s not bad.”
“We’ve got some things that we want to continue to get better at,” Franklin said. “But I thought we were pretty good for now. Knowing that that’s not good enough for where we want to get to but nobody is. The whole country is in a race and we’re starting in a pile and it’s who can get somewhere and we got somewhere this week.”
“We improved this week and came together a little bit this week,” Franklin added. “The key for us is continuing it and we’re going to have to by Tuesday because we’ve got a tremendous battle coming up.”
Vincennes spread the scoring out well Saturday night, with freshman Dayton Williams (Louisville, Ky.) being the high man for the Trailblazers with 13 points and five rebounds on the night.
Sophomore Hussein Elmaraghy (Cairo, Egypt) was able to use his size in the low block to finish his night with 11 points and four rebounds, while sophomore Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) was the third VU scorer in double figures, ending his night with 10 points, five rebounds and three steals.
Sophomore and 2024 NJCAA All-American Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) dished out the ball all night, coming away with eight points, six assists and five rebounds.
Freshman Christian Andrews (Asheville, N.C.) matched Thomas for the team-lead in assists Saturday night, coming off the bench to add six points, six assists and three rebounds.
Freshmen Jalen Calloway (Chicago, Ill.) and Travelle Bryson (Anderson, S.C.) each closed out the game with eight points, with Calloway adding four assists and Bryson grabbing a pair of steals.
“I’m excited about the fact that this weekend, we averaged 100 points over these two games and held these two teams down in the low 50s on average and Lebron had 14 points in the two games combined,” Franklin added. “I don’t most people would have thought that we would average 100 over two nights, playing against Division I teams. This tells you that we’ve evolved and we’ve got guys that are stepping up and that’s great.”
“That was trying to get some things where we got everybody in a balanced effort,” Franklin said. “We simplified some things and got some other people involved like I wanted to this weekend. We got Kenaz out there and I think you can see that by March, he could be a load. We got Hussein going. Sometimes when playing time starts to slip away from you, suddenly you can get lower, suddenly your post ups are better. Suddenly you can remember not to dribble that thing and be ready on the catch and score and he was much better. He’s a better player this weekend and a much better player tonight.”
“A couple of other guys didn’t start in the second half,” Franklin added. “Well, those guys played better than you. Around here, you better play and then I think they came in a tried to play a little bit harder and got a little bit better in the second half. So we’re learning that that’s the way we do things and we’re responding fairly well to that. We will have to. But I was proud of them. I thought it was a good effort and I think we’re evolving but we have to continue it.”
“We’re a better ball club now than we were a week ago,” Franklin said. “I think that’s pretty clear if you watch us. We played two good teams last weekend. Last weekend we split against two good teams and that’s about where we were. Played two competitive games that could have gone either way. But I think we’ve gotten better since last week and now we’ll see if we can get better by Tuesday.”
The Trailblazers will look to keep this early season momentum going as they get set for another tough test on the home floor Tuesday, Nov. 12 when VU hosts Henry Ford College at 7 p.m. eastern.
“Henry Ford is really good,” Franklin said. “They are ready to go. Some teams aren’t ready to go right now, Henry Ford is ready to go. They are hitting on cylinders right now. They beat up everybody all preseason in all of the jamborees and played really good teams and then came out and put up 130 on the first night. It’ll be a good test for us and we’re excited about it.”
“In general, across the board, it’s just that what we say, we mean,” Franklin added. “And if they do it, it gives them their best chance. It doesn’t guarantee victory but it gives them their best chance. So do what we are trying to tell you and do it with great intensity. I think we are learning and we’re getting used to it. I think we’re figuring some people out and people are getting a little more comfortable in the right way. You can’t be comfortable that I can just stay out here if I don’t play real hard and well. They will find out that no, I can’t be comfortable with that. I have to be comfortable with keeping my p’s and q’s out there and competing.”
“But we play aggressive version of basketball,” Franklin said. “But we also play a discipline version of basketball. We’re still in the developmental stages of learning it but I think we’re a pretty good basketball team right now and a team that has the potential to be pretty good. We’re playing a lot of young guys that are learning. Jalen, Kenaz, Dayton, Travelle. The first weekend Travelle wasn’t much of a factor. Kenaz wasn’t much of a factor. Jalen wasn’t much of a factor. Well all three of those guys are really talented guys but they are young. They weren’t young guys that just walked in here ready to go. But they are guys that can get that way and as they evolve to get that way we’re going to get a lot better.”
“They evolved some this week and we got better,” Franklin added. “That’s what we are. I just want to see that continue and I want to see us getting hungry and just wanting more and more of it. Really wanting to take it on. I want it, I see it and feel it now. That type of thing. That’s where we are and the team will tell me where we really are as we go along.”
“But we will have a massive challenge on Tuesday and we’ll see how we flip back from this,” Franklin said. “You usually don’t get this Tuesday night flip. Even during the regular season, it will usually be a Wednesday, so it gives you an extra day to work. Well we don’t have that. We play a really good opponent who has been waiting for us for a week. So I’m excited to see how we handle it.”
VINCENNES BOX SCORE
VINCENNES (88): Bryan Akanmu 5-7 0-0 10, Michael Cooper 2-6 2-2 6, Jalen Calloway 3-5 0-0 8, Lebron Thomas 2-4 3-4 8, Dayton Williams 3-7 6-6 113, Christian Andrews 2-7 2-2 6, Meyoh Swansey 2-3 0-0 4, Taveon Smith 0-4 0-0 0, Travelle Bryson 4-7 0-0 8, Darstin Onye 1-1 4-5 6, Kenaz Ochogwu 4-6 0-0 8, Hussein Elmaraghy 5-5 1-2 11, Team 33-62 18-21 88.
Kennedy-King – 20 26 – 46
VU (3-1) – 41 47 – 88
Three-point goals: VU 4 (Calloway 2, L. Thomas, Williams). Rebounds: VU 48 (Cooper 10). Assists: VU 23 (L. Thomas 6, Andrews 6). Steals: VU 8 (Akanmu 3). Blocked Shots: VU 4 (Cooper, Calloway, Swansey, Onye). Turnovers: VU 13. Personal Fouls: VU 16. Fouled out: None.